Whether you’re planning a long vacation or a day trip to the beach, you’ll need to think about sun protection, which is why you need to know which is the best canopy tent for the beach.
Canopy tents are perfect for beach trips. They’re designed to protect you from UV rays, giving you shade to keep cool. They’re also great for marking out your ‘spot’ on the beach, keeping your bags and gear undercover.
The question is, which canopy tent is the best for the beach?
We really like the Neso Tents Grande Beach Tent, because we think it’s a good all-rounder. We also like:
- COOSHADE Compact Backpack Canopy – great for folding up small
- Coleman Instant Canopy Tent – Best for Larger Groups
We’ve looked at 6 of the best canopy tents for the beach, so you can find just the right one for you.
We’ll be looking at:
- The best canopy tents for the beach compared
- What to look for when you’re looking for a beach tent
- 6 of the best, including their pros and cons and specifications
- Some frequently asked questions
- Which one we think is the best, and why
Keep reading to find the perfect canopy tent!
Table of Contents
- Best Canopy Tents for the Beach Compared
- What to Look for in a Canopy Tent for the Beach
- Best Canopy Tent for the Beach
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To Sum Up … Which is the Best Canopy Tent for the Beach?
Best Canopy Tents for the Beach Compared
What to Look for in a Canopy Tent for the Beach
Here’s a quick guide on what to look for when you’re shopping for a beach tent.
Size
The tent size you choose will depend on how many people you want to use it for (or how much space you want). The larger the tent, the more shade it will provide. Many are designed to be able to walk underneath them, with a maximum height of 7ft (84in / 213cm) or more.
Canopy tents, like tailgate tents, don’t tend to have walls – they just provide some overhead shelter. Some do have detachable or half-walls for privacy, or you can sometimes buy walls separately.
Some canopy tents have pockets. Perfect for storing your valuables such as USB charging backpacks, jackets with hidden pockets, or your much-needed water bottles.
Weather Protection
The obvious thing you’re going to be looking for is sun protection. You can measure this by looking at the UPF rating.
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It measures how effective a fabric is at blocking out harmful rays from the sun. A UPF of 50 blocks around 98% of the sun’s rays when worn/used.
Canopy tents won’t keep out heavy rain, especially when combined with wind, as the rain will blow into the open sides. They’re not designed to withstand bad weather like family tents for bad weather are. But they may offer some rain protection overhead, depending on the materials used (more on that shortly).
Finally, there’s the wind to think about. Even a calm day at the beach can still be breezy, so you will need to anchor your tent into the sand. Some canopy tents have sandbags already attached, or even built into the legs, so you can easily fill them with sand to weigh them down. Others require you to buy sandbags separately.
Ease of Setup
You shouldn’t find it too difficult to set up a canopy tent – they’re usually designed to be easy to put together, even by one person. It’s worth checking this though, as some canopy tents are so large that they’re easier to put together with two people.
Portability
Another thing to look at is portability. You’ll find most modern canopy tents are usually quite portable, especially once packed down. In any case it’s something worth considering.
Size Packed
Finally, you could check out the size of your tent when it’s folded down. If you want to take it on holiday, you’ll obviously want to save space in your luggage. You can also check the weight, which is especially important if you plan to take it on a plane.
Best Canopy Tent for the Beach
Now, let’s take a look at 6 of the best canopy tents for the beach in more detail.
KAZZARY Beach Tent Canopy – Best for Wind Protection
Key Features
- Size:
7ft 2 in x 8ft 2 in x 7ft
86 x 98 x 84in
218 x 249 x 213cm - Size Packed:
26 x 8 x 8in
66 x 20 x 20cm - Weight: 6.6lbs / 2.99kg
- Materials: Polyester with UPF 50+ protection
The KAZZARY Beach Tent Canopy is an easy option for families, offering enough shade for 5 people. It’s designed to be able to walk under at 7ft (84in / 213cm).
It’s got excellent sun protection – with UPF50+ and 98% UV protection, it’s designed to keep you safe even in harsh sunlight. It has sandbags which you will need to fill yourself, and it’s designed to resist wind – if you point the tent in the direction of the wind, it stays up really well – users found it worked well in windy conditions. The frame is powder-coated to increase durability.
It’s easy to put together, although some users did find they had to practice a couple of times to get the hang of it. It folds down into a small, lightweight carry bag for easy transportation.
Pros
- Provides lots of shade
- Excellent UPF and UV protection
- Wind resistant
- Very lightweight
- Easily portable
- Comes with sandbags
Cons
- May require a bit of practice to get the hang of setting it up
Coleman Instant Canopy – Best for Larger Groups
Key Features
- Size:
10 x 10 x 9ft 4in
120 x 120 x 113in
305 x 305 x 338cm - Size Packed:
8 x 8 x 48in
20 x 20 x 124cm - Weight: 35.5lbs / 16.10kgs
- Materials: Double-thick polyester with UPF 50+ sun protection
The Coleman Instant Canopy Tent is a spacious option, with a center height of 9ft 4in (113in / 338cm).
In terms of sun protection, it has UPF50+ and 98% UV protection. This is great for hot days on the beach. It provides a good amount of shade, too. If you’re a larger family or a group of friends heading for a day out, you’ll enjoy the amount of shade this provides. If it’s windy, you’ll have to bring out the sandbags, which have to be bought separately. It’s not the most durable option out there, with some people finding rips developing over time.
Although this is a large tent, it’s really easy to put together. Lay the tent down on its side, extend the legs, and that’s it – you’re done. It’s been designed in a way that will avoid you getting your fingers trapped as they extend. It also folds into a wheeled carry bag. The downside is that it’s heavy, so you’ll have to be prepared for that.
Pros
- Easy to put together
- Good for larger groups – provides lots of shades
- Good protection from the sun
- Comes in a wheeled carry bag
Cons
- On the heavier side
- Not as durable as others on this list
- Doesn’t come with sandbags
Neso Tents Grande Beach Tent – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Size:
9 x 9 x 7ft
108 x 108 x 84in
274 x 274 x 213cm - Size Packed:
19.5in
50cm - Weight: 6.9lbs / 3.12kg
- Materials: Nylon/Lycra blend
The Neso Tents Grande Beach Tent is great for water resistance as well as sun protection. At 7ft (84in / 213cm) tall, you can walk under it easily.
The sun protection is good, with UPF50+ and UV protection. It also has the added benefit of being good for rainy moments. It won’t hold up to a downpour, but it should keep you dry in a shower. You can weigh it down using the corner anchor bags provided. Users suggest filling it up with as much sand as you can fit to help weigh it down. During very windy conditions, you should be careful as the fabric may tear.
This canopy tent folds up small and comes with a carry bag. It’s also lightweight, so it’s perfect for taking on vacation. It’s easy to put together, but it’s worth practicing before you go.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Great sun protection
- Decent rain protection
- Easy to put together
- Easily portable
- Comes with sandbags
Cons
- Won’t keep you dry in a downpour
- Might tear in strong winds
COOSHADE Compact Backpack Canopy – Good for Saving Space
Key Features
- Size:
6 x 6 x 6ft
72 x 72 x 72in
183 x 183 x 183cm - Size Packed:
27.8 x 7.5 x 7.5in
67 x 19 x 19 - Weight: 19.36lbs / 8.86kg
- Materials: Polyester with silver coating
The COOSHADE Compact Backpack Canopy is ideal if you don’t have a lot of space to store or transport a canopy tent. The center height goes up to 6ft (72in / 183cm) and has a mesh pocket on the inside for keeping your valuables away from the sand.
The sun protection is excellent, with UPF50+ and 98% UV protection, and a flame-resistant polyester top. It has one half-wall, so if you want a little more privacy and shelter from the wind, this could work well. It comes with stakes, but no sandbags, so you’ll have to buy those separately.
This canopy tent folds up into a small bag, which is perfect for throwing into the car with your beach gear. It has a 60-second set-up, too, so it should be easy even for just one person to assemble.
Pros
- Folds up really small
- Great sun protection
- Lightweight
- Easy to set up
- Easily portable
Cons
- Doesn’t give great rain protection
- Not as much headroom as some of the others on this list
- Sandbags aren’t included
AmazonBasics Pop-Up Canopy Tent – Best on a Budget
Key Features
- Size:
9ft 8in x 9ft 8in x 8ft
118 x 118 x 97in
300 x 300 x 247cm - Size Packed:
Packs down into 5ft long bag - Weight: 40.7lbs / 18.46kg
- Materials: Polyester
The AmazonBasics Pop-Up Canopy Tent is ideal if you’re on a tight budget. It comes in blue, white, and grey.
It’s good for the beach, as it has UPF50+ and 98% UV protection, and the angled legs are designed to give more shade. However, it does state that it’s not meant for use in strong wind, which can be an issue on the beach. A bit of a breeze should be fine, but you’ll need to use sandbags to make sure it stays put. It has a powder-coated steel frame for durability.
The folding frame is easy to set up, but because it’s on the larger size, it’s easier to do it with two people. It comes with a storage bag.
Pros
- Good for a tight budget
- Great sun protection with lots of shade
- Durable frame
- Folds up into a small bag
- Easily portable
Cons
- Not suitable for strong winds
- Sandbags not included
Quik Shade Expedition Instant Canopy – Most Versatile
Key Features
- Size:
10 x 10 x 9ft
120 x 120 x 108in
305 x 305 x 274cm - Size Packed:
16 x 50 x 8in
41 x 127 x 20 - Weight: 28lbs / 12.70kg
- Materials: Polyester
The is a good all-rounder that can be used on different surfaces, not just the beach. Users have tried it on gravel, on the beach, and on grass with good results. It has an adjustable center height, all the way up to 9ft (108in / 274cm).
It has a vented canopy top for better ventilation, and the polyester has UPF50+ and 98% UV protection. It’s slightly water resistant but doesn’t cope with heavy rain very well. The frame is corrosion-resistant, so it should hold up well. The downside is that it doesn’t come with sandbags, so you’ll have to buy them separately.
In terms of weatherproofing, it has a vented canopy top made from polyester with UV protection and some water resistance, but it’s not designed to withstand heavy rain without leaking. It also has a sturdy frame made from corrosion-resistant steel – users report that it is pretty durable and lasts for a long time. It doesn’t come with sandbags, so you’ll have to buy them separately.
It’s straightforward to set up, taking around ten minutes or so, and it has an easy-latch system so you can easily adjust the center height.
Pros
- Adjustable center height
- Good sun protection
- Vented canopy top
- Easy to put together
- Easily portable
Cons
- Not designed for bad weather
- Doesn’t come with sandbags
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve still got questions about beach tents, we may have the answer here.
Are beach canopy tents durable?
Every tent is different, but if they’re made from materials like coated polyester, they should last a good few years. Look for a tent with a powder-coated frame if you want extra durability.
Should I use tent leg weights or sandbags?
For beach tents, you’re better off using sandbags – you can easily fill and empty them while you’re there, and you won’t have to carry heavy weights around with you.
Can I use a beach tent on other surfaces?
Yes, you can. Some of the tents on this list are designed to be used on different surfaces (like the Coleman Instant Canopy). Just make sure that you anchor the tent properly using sandbags or weights so it doesn’t blow away if the wind picks up.
Can I take a beach tent on a plane?
Yes, you should be able to if it folds up small enough – just make sure it’s lightweight, so it doesn’t weigh down your luggage.
Can I use a regular tent on a beach?
Yes, technically you can – but regular tents are much bulkier, take longer to set up, and aren’t as easy to anchor into the sand. You can get regular quick set-up tents, but you’re better off using a tent that is specifically designed to use at the beach for shelter.
To Sum Up … Which is the Best Canopy Tent for the Beach?
We really like the Neso Tents Grande Beach Tent. It’s lightweight and folds up small and offers great shade and good UPF protection. It will keep you dry in a shower, and it comes with anchor sandbags so you can keep it secure.
We also like the COOSHADE Compact Backpack Canopy, which is ideal if you’ve got a tight space and you need it to fold up small. If you’ve got a larger group, there’s the Coleman Instant Canopy Tent, which should give you enough shade for everyone.
We hope this has helped you to find your ideal canopy tent for the beach!
